A long weekend on a bicycle combines exercise, nature, and relaxation. In summer, many German regions offer ideal conditions for a short getaway on two wheels. The following bike paths run along well-developed routes and can be flexibly divided into individual stages.
On Two Wheels: Moselle and Lake Constance Offer Plenty of Variety
The Moselle Bike Path is one of Germany's most popular river cycling routes. Between Trier and Koblenz, it leads through small winemaking villages and past numerous castles. The German section covers around 250 kilometers in total. Along the way, places like Bernkastel-Kues, Traben-Trarbach, or Cochem invite you to stop. Cozy wine taverns and romantic riverside promenades ensure that cycling isn't the only focus. Couples often combine the tour with a restaurant visit or wine tasting. It's advisable to choose individual daily stages of 40 to 60 kilometers. This leaves plenty of time for sightseeing and breaks.
A completely different landscape awaits cyclists at Lake Constance. The Lake Constance Bike Path circles the lake over around 260 kilometers and passes through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The well-marked route runs mostly directly along the water and offers views of the Alps in clear weather. Charming cities like Constance, Meersburg, and Lindau lie along the way. The route is mostly flat and therefore also suitable for casual cyclists. Many cycling vacationers combine their weekend tour with a boat trip on Lake Constance.
Elbe, Weser, and Baltic Sea: Bike Paths for Relaxed Group Tours
Those traveling with friends benefit from stages that can be easily adapted to different fitness levels. One of the classics among Germany's long-distance cycling routes is the Elbe Bike Path. It extends over more than 1,200 kilometers from the Czech Republic to the North Sea. The section between Dresden and Meissen is particularly popular. The landscape here is characterized by green Elbe meadows and small winegrowers' houses that appear repeatedly along the route.
The Weser Bike Path is also well suited for a short vacation. Between Hann. Münden and Hamelin, the route runs largely flat along the river and passes through the Weser Uplands with its historic half-timbered towns. The entire bike path to Cuxhaven measures around 500 kilometers.
Those who want to combine their cycling vacation with a day at the sea will find suitable conditions on the Baltic Sea Coast Bike Path. The approximately 1,100-kilometer-long route begins in Flensburg and extends along the coast to the island of Usedom. Popular stops include Hanseatic cities like Lübeck or Wismar, as well as the island of Rügen. For a long weekend, a section with easily planned daily stages is sufficient, leaving room for swimming breaks and sightseeing.
